ELEVENTH-hour funding from the Home Office has brought a vital Wokingham volunteer agency back from the brink of closure.

ELEVENTH-hour funding from the Home Office has brought a vital Wokingham volunteer agency back from the brink of closure.

The Wokingham District Volunteer Development Agency (WDVDA), which provides volunteers to a range of community causes, had all but given up hope of continuing its good work when funding for the scheme ran out last month.

The Woodley-based organisation was set to close its doors for the last time on July 31 when it heard about a new Home Office funding programme.

Co-ordinator Maurice Moore said: "We were told that the Home Office might make some money available, so we scrambled to get the forms filled in. "It was a stressful period, with just 11 days to get the complicated forms completed and gather evidence for our case.

"We were told that we were going to be out of a job and we were all ready for closing up at the end of July.

"So we could hardly believe it when the money came through from the new Transitional Fund, because Wokingham is considered to be so well off.

"We have still got to raise another £5,000 to keep the show on the road and to cover our operating costs, and we will be working closer with the Council for Voluntary Service, which is a good idea.

"I thought I would be counting my redundancy money — instead we are back in business."

The WDVDA, set up six years ago, has had a rollercoaster ride in recent years, relying on emergency funding from Wokingham District Council.

Despite the constant uncertainties experienced by the staff about their long-term future, their hard work and commitment won them an Outstanding Achievement Award earlier this year and a Quality Accreditation.

John Tomlinson, chairman of the trustees, said: "It was a very sad day when the trustees had to take the decision to shut the agency down due to lack of funds.

"However, it is great news that the Government is keen for us to continue our good work — we have after all brought some 1,700 people into voluntary work over the last six years."

Because of the planned closure, co-ordinators say there will be a brief delay in continuing the volunteer scheme until they can be fully back up and running.